Amanda Levete for MPavilion

Rita Bila

MPavilion recently announced the 2015 pavilion will be designed by AL_A, the studio of Stirling Prize winning architect Amanda Levete. The temporary pavilion is commissioned each year from a leading architect for the Queen Victoria Gardens. The space activates interactions such as talks, workshops, performances and installations. The new pavilion will be open in October of this year.

Selfridges, Birmingham. Photo by Norbert Schoerner

As an essential part of the brief, the structure will respond to the Australian climatic conditions and as a temporary feature of the parklands, the structure will exploit its natural setting to create the sensation of a forest canopy in the heart of the city. Continuing a tradition of working in collaboration with boat builders, the studio will engage Australian technology and collaborate with expert yacht fabricator and manufacturers to make the most of composite materials used in the craft of boat building.

Bangkok Central Embassy, Bangkok, image courtesy of AL_A.

Naomi Milgrom AO, founder of the MPavilion series said “The 2015 MPavilion will be a very different temporary pavilion for the beautiful Queen Victoria Gardens. Our commission and four-month program of free events allows Melbourne to connect with the best local and international architects, and creative minds. Amanda has designed a thought provoking space for the public to enjoy throughout summer”

Al_A’s recent commissions include the expansion of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, a 1.5 million square foot luxury shopping mall and Hotel in Bangkok on the former grounds of the British Embassy, a 13 hectare media centre for Sky, and a cultural centre in Lisbon.

The design will be unveiled in July and details of the programme will be announced in August and September.